“It costs thousands of dollars to get these animals ready for adoption and takes a toll on the staff because of all the animals that are already there waiting to be adopted,” she said.

Organizers hope to sell 400 reservations to fill Wealthy Theatre. If they fill the auditorium, that would raise $10,000 for the human society.

Grand Rapids Symphony’s associate conductor John Varineau is conducting the program of music – all of which is animal themed, including “The Swan” from Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals” and Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.”

Marimbist Dave Hall will be soloist for the virtuoso showpiece, “Flight of the Bumblebee,” and contra-bassoonist Vince Karamanov will be featured in the comical novelty tune, “The Bear with a Sore Head” among other musical selections.

Four years ago, POMA began playing concerts for worthy causes, beginning with the United Way and its literacy campaign.

Guests for the July 15 concert are asked to bring a donation of cat or dog food, treats, leashes, harnesses or toys for The Kibble Konnection, an assistance program for pet owners who can’t afford to care for their animals without help and who can demonstrate a need for assistance.